In a landmark move to make higher education more accessible, Harvard University has announced that it will provide free tuition for students from families earning $200,000 or less annually, starting in fall 2025. The expansion significantly raises the previous income threshold of $85,000, allowing a larger number of middle-class families to benefit from financial aid.
As part of the initiative, students from families earning under $100,000 will receive full coverage, including tuition, housing, food, travel, and additional expenses. Eligible students will also be granted a $2,000 start-up fund and financial support for winter clothing. The move aligns Harvard with other top-tier institutions, such as the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, and Caltech, which have also broadened their financial aid programs in response to concerns over college affordability.
Harvard’s decision comes at a time when elite universities are under heightened scrutiny, particularly following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action. Recent data from the university revealed a decline in Black student enrollment, from 18% to 14% in just a year. Expanding financial aid is seen as a key strategy to enhance socioeconomic and racial diversity on campus.
With an endowment exceeding $53 billion, Harvard allocated $275 million to financial aid this year alone. University President Alan M. Garber emphasized that removing financial barriers creates a more dynamic and inclusive student body.
The announcement comes amid political and economic challenges in higher education, including proposed tax increases on university endowments and funding cuts under the Trump administration. Despite these obstacles, Harvard remains committed to expanding opportunities for students from diverse financial backgrounds.